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MG MGB Technical - Headlamp adjust

I have been busy this evening setting the headlamps on my BGT and i have a couple of queries. I was using for reference an info sheet i found on Paul Hunts webpage, although its primarily a US site, the information covered is priceless in my opinion.

however i would like to check that the set up in vertical alignment is still correct for UK cars - bascially the webpage states 25 ft from a vertical wall, measure up the wall the height to the centre point of lights and then down three inches is where to set your dipped beam. Is this correct for UK too??? It does seem about correct when driving alongside other cars and comparing beams...

Secondly, my right hand lamp beam needs to go about a foot higher on the wall to reach the marker as set out above, it also 'feels' too low when driving, hence me checking them this evening. The trouble is the adjuster for the up/down movement is in a poor state and instead of moving the lamp past a certain point is twisting the metal surrounding the adjuster screw - obviously someone prior to me has had a similar problem, becausae this is how i found it and am havinbg a similar difficulty.

I would say that i need to replace the headlamp bowl, in order to get a new adjuster and be able to get the alignment i require on the right hand headlamp. As far as i can see the headlamp scfrews into this bowl (excuse terminology), so i'm guessing this isnt integral to the headlamp unit - so is it just a case of unbolt headlamp unit from bowl, fit new bowl, refit headlamp unit and adjust??

Your thoughts greatly apreciated

~PHIL
Pjhil

Phil,

Got it in one, you basically have the procedure down, and yes they are called headlamp bowls. Should take you about an hour, unless the screws are rusted severely. A couple of shots with penetrating oil on the backside of the wing is in order to make the job faster.
Paul K

Pjhil - mine is a UK site, but I don't think you got it from there.
Paul Hunt

Sorry paul - poor description, i know your webpage is a UK site, but i think i followed a few links on your site and ended up there (Daniel Stern's page i think but i havent been on it in a while so may have got it wrong)

That site (where i ended up) is an american one, or at least the artical is written for the americans. The vertical alignement does seem to be applicable for us brits too though as there is discussion on european headlamps. Obviously where the horizontal alingment is concerned it will be facing the wrong way.... I really jsut wanted to check that it does apply - checking the headlamps when facing the car does not cause any discomfort so i dont think they are too high etc - when i have a minute i intended to take the car to an MOT station to check the alingment on the morrow set up anyway.

In anycase i've learnt quite a bit from your site, so thanks all the same!!

~PHIL
Phil

My pleasure ...
Paul Hunt

Hi Phil,
The original headlight bowls had beam adjusters that were mounted in small plastic inserts that clipped into a square hole on the rim of the bowl. I believe you can buy just the inserts and screws and push fit them to the bowl. Saves a lot of trouble removing the bowl assembly. Try ringing Midland Sports and Classics who can mail them to you. Tel 0845-130-4587
regards
Graham
Graham

This thread was discussed between 13/08/2002 and 19/08/2002

MG MGB Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGB Technical BBS is active now.